Can dogs get fevers

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 21, 2024

Contributions sourced from

How to Tell if Your Dog Has a Fever and What to Do About It

Dog fevers are defined by having a higher-than-normal body temperature, and they have a variety of causes.

So how can you tell if your dog has a fever? How do you take their temperature, and whats considered a fever in dogs? What causes dog fevers and how do you treat them?

How to Tell if a Dog Has a Fever

Dog fevers can be very difficult to detect at home and are often discovered at the veterinary office. This is because a dogs temperature is naturally higher than a humans, and it is almost impossible to detect a fever by touching a dogs skin.

How Do You Take a Dogs Temperature?

The only way of accurately knowing if your dog has a fever is to take their rectal temperature with a digital thermometer. This is done by lubricating the tip of the thermometer and inserting it into the rectum approximately 1 inch. It is important to have another person holding your dogs head while you do this, as some dogs may not be tolerant of this at home.

If a dog does not seem ill, there is no benefit to taking your dogs temperature at home on a regular basis, because it can also go up with overactivity or if your dog has been outside in a warm environment.

What Temperature Is Considered a Fever in Dogs?

The normal range for a dogs body temperature is between 100F and 102.5F. Anything above 102.5F is considered a fever or hyperthermia (overheating). A true fever is the bodys response to a disease process, whereas hyperthermia is caused by exposure to excessive heat or overheating from overexertion.

What Are Some Symptoms of Dog Fevers?

Dog fever symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on how high the temperature is and what disease is causing it. Symptoms can include:

What Causes Dog Fevers?

There can be several different causes of dog fevers, but they generally fall into one of these categories:

Inflammation
Infection
Immune-mediated
Cancer

In some cases, despite extensive diagnostics, a cause is not found. This is called fever of unknown origin.

Anything that can stimulate the immune system can cause a fever. For example, it is not uncommon for pets to get a low-grade fever after being vaccinated. This is because the immune system is being stimulated to protect the body against different diseases.

Bacterial infections, fungal infections, or viral infections can all stimulate an immune response and cause a fever as well. Cancer is another disease process that usually stimulates the immune system, resulting in a fever.

The most common cause of fever from inflammation is pancreatitis. This is an inflammation of the pancreas that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and a painful abdomen. The cause is not clear and thought to be different in dogs than in cats and humans.

Autoimmune diseases are a group of diseases that can stimulate the immune system to attack a part of the body with no underlying cause. Examples of autoimmune diseases include lupus, uveitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These diseases can also result in dog fevers.

What to Do if Your Dog Has a Fever

If you feel that your dog may be ill, taking their temperature at home is a good start if you can do so. If your dog has a fever above 102.5F, that warrants a visit to the veterinarian. It is considered an emergency if your dog is extremely lethargic, has blood in their stool or vomit, stops eating, or has a fever above 104.5F.

It is extremely important to never give your dog over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, to reduce the fever. These medications are toxic to pets and can result in serious harm or death.

Getting a diagnosis for dog fevers as soon as possible and instituting treatment will usually result in more favorable outcomes. Most causes of fever can be treated if caught early.

How Are Dog Fevers Treated?

Treatment of a fever in dogs is largely dependent on the cause of the fever. Oftentimes several diagnostics, such as bloodwork, radiographs (x-rays), and ultrasound, are necessary to determine the cause. In some cases, a cause cannot be identified.

In dogs that have infections, the treatment is usually a course of antibiotics or antifungal medications. In other diseases, such as pancreatitis, there isnt one anecdotal treatment, and medications are given to alleviate the symptoms until the inflammation subsides. This can take days to weeks and will depend on the level of severity.

Cancer is treated with either chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy depending on the type of cancer that is diagnosed. Some types of cancer respond well to these treatments, where others may not respond as well or at all. Autoimmune diseases require drugs that suppress the immune system so that it stops attacking the different areas of the body.

Most of these diseases are manageable but not usually curable.

What causes fever in dogs?

Determining if your pet has a fever can be determined quickly by taking his temperature. Check out our step-by-step guide, here!

Fever vs. Hyperthermia

A dogs normal temperature ranges from 99.5-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature that is 103 or higher indicates an illness with fever or hyperthermia.

A fever is defined as an elevation in a pets temperature due to a change in their set point, where the body thinks it should have a higher temperature than normal and rises in response.

Hyperthermia is defined as an increase in a pets temperature due to external heat influences.

A fever is often due to an underlying disease or illness. As a defensive mechanism, the body tells itself to increase its temperature to help fight disease through numerous different complex pathways. A fever is also commonly referred to as pyrexia in the medical word.

In animals, we also often see our pets with elevated temperatures that are not technically a fever, but instead hyperthermia. In cases of hyperthermia, the pets elevated temperature is not from an immune response, but instead from being unable to cool itself properly. This happens in situations such as the pet being in a hot car, overexertion, or being outside too long in the sun.

A common example of how pets appear different with a fever vs. hyperthermia is that a pet with a fever is often shivering, whereas, a hyperthermic pet often appears to be panting, distressed, or weak. Their temperatures may be the same in this example, but the underlying causes and treatments can be quite different.

What are the symptoms of a fever?

Due to the change in the internal thermostat, febrile pets often dont appear overheated. Symptoms of fever in dogs can include:

Lethargy/Depression
Shivering/Shaking
Decreased appetite/Decreased water intake
Coughing
Vomiting
Decreased urination
Temperature above 102.5 when resting quietly

What are some causes of fever in dogs?

Although many different things can cause a fever, the most common categories are:

Infection - Different types of infections most commonly causing a fever include bacterial, viral, fungal, tick-borne illness, and some parasitic disease. Some examples of these diseases include pneumonia, parvovirus, distemper virus, leptospirosis, kidney infections, uterine infections, and Lyme disease.
Inflammation - This is suggestive of a large inflammatory response in the body that is not necessarily related to an infection. Different types of auto-immune diseases or inflammation can cause fevers when the body increases its immune response. Examples of this include Lupus, Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, and other diseases like immune-mediated meningitis.
Neoplasia - Cancer causes severe inflammation in the body as well as secondary problems (like infection, for example)
Drug Reaction or Toxicity - A drug reaction (allergy) or toxicity to known poison can cause a fever
Vaccination - Due to intentional stimulation of the immune system, vaccines often cause a mild fever 1-2 days after they are given. This is considered a normal side effect in most cases.

How is a fever treated in dogs?

Just like in humans, the underlying cause of the fever is often the focus of treatment for pets with fevers. If an infection is uncovered such as a bacterial or fungal disease, antibiotics or antifungal medications will likely be started. In cases of viral disease, supportive care is initiated, much like in how human flu is treated with rest and fluids. In some cases, antiviral medications may be used as well.

In other situations, like cancer, autoimmune disease, or drug reaction, very specific treatment plans are formed for each pet. These are tailored to the exact disease process as well as their clinical appearance. Treatment may range from hospitalization with IV fluids and medications to outpatient therapy with things like steroids or immune-suppressant drugs.

In any case, however, a fever is an indicator that medical care should be sought. A veterinarian should be utilized to determine the root cause of your pets fever so appropriate therapy can be started as soon as possible. Early intervention can be extremely beneficial to prevent dehydration, malnutrition, and help your pet return to normal as quickly and safely as possible.

A word about Hyperthermia (heat stroke) in dogs

In cases of overheating or heatstroke, it is absolutely crucial that the pet receives emergency care immediately. Use your judgment to help you discern this:

Is the pet visibly panting and overheated?
Are they conscious or comatose (severe heat stroke)?
Were they in a hot environment where overheating is likely?
Do they appear visibly stressed with pale or dark gum color?

If there is any question that your pet may have overheated, take them immediately to an emergency vet and institute cooling by applying lukewarm or cool water to the belly and paws.

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Can Dogs Get Fevers?

Dogs are known as mans best friends for a good reason. They are loyal, loving, and always happy to see their humans come home. But what about when dogs get sick? Can they get fevers just like people do? And if so, how can you tell if your dog has a fever? These are essential questions since fever in dogs can signify serious illness. Keep reading to learn more!

Yes Dogs Can Get Fevers

Yes, dogs can get fevers just like people do. A dogs normal body temperature is very similar to that of a human. However, there are a few important distinctions to make between the two. For example, the average fever in dogs is around 102 degrees Fahrenheit, while the moderate fever for a person is approximately 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

So what causes a dogs fever? There are many different reasons your dog might develop a fever, including viral infection, inflammation, or even cancer. Its essential to take a dogs normal temperature and see your veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect that your dog has a fever.

How Can You Tell if Your Dog Has a Fever?

There are a few different ways to tell if your dog has a fever. One of the easiest ways is to feel their forehead. If it feels warm to the touch, theres a good chance of having a fever. You can also use a digital thermometer to take their temperature. This is the most accurate way to determine if your dog is sick, and its something that you should do at home if youre worried about them.

Dogs Body Temperature

The average body temperature of a dog is around 101 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this can vary depending on the breed and age of the dog.

Checking Your Dogs Temperature

The most accurate way to determine if your dog has a fever is to use a digital thermometer. You can buy these thermometers at most pharmacies or online. To take your dogs temperature, insert the thermometer into their mouth and wait for it to beep. Record the temperature and compare it to the chart below.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Has a Fever?

If your dog has a fever, the first thing you should do is call your veterinarian. Fever in dogs can be a sign of serious illness, so its essential to get them checked out as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will likely ask you a few questions about your dogs symptoms and then perform some tests to determine the cause of the fever. Dog fever symptoms depend on the severity of the fever, your veterinarian may also recommend treatment, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Can Dogs Get a Fever from Humans?

Yes, dogs can get a fever from humans. One of the most common ways for dogs to get sick is catching a virus from their human owners. This is why its important to keep your dog away from sick people and wash your hands regularly. If you think that your dog might have caught a virus from you, be sure to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Can Dogs Get a Fever from Other Dogs?

Yes, dogs can get a fever from other dogs. This is known as canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRD), and its a serious illness that can be fatal in some cases. Various viruses cause CIRDC, and it can be very difficult to treat. If your dog has a fever and you suspect that it might have CIRDC, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away.

Can Dogs Get a Fever from Insect Bites?

Yes, dogs can get a fever from insect bites. One of the most common symptoms of fever in dogs is an insect bite or sting. This is why its important to keep your dog away from bugs and regularly use flea and tick prevention products. If your dog has a fever and you think that it might be related to an insect bite, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

Can Dogs Get a Fever from Heat?

Yes, dogs can get a fever from heat exposure. This is known as hyperthermia, and its a serious condition that can be fatal in some cases. Hyperthermia occurs when a dogs body temperature rises to dangerous levels, typically due to heat exposure. If you think that your dog might have hyperthermia, be sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Can Dogs Get a Fever from Cats?

Yes, dogs can get a fever from cats. This is known as canine distemper, and its a serious illness that can be fatal in some cases. A virus causes distemper, and it can affect dogs of all ages. If your dog has a fever and you think that it might have distemper, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away.

Can Dogs Get a Fever from Food?

Yes, dogs can get a fever from food. This is known as food poisoning, and its a serious condition that can be fatal in some cases. Food poisoning is most commonly caused by bacteria, such as E. coli or Salmonella, but it can also be caused by toxins found in certain foods. If your dog has a fever and you think that it might be related to food poisoning, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

Can Dogs Get a Fever from Pollution?

Yes, dogs can get a fever from pollution. This is known as environmental hyperthermia, and its a serious condition that can be fatal in some cases. Environmental hyperthermia occurs when a dogs body temperature rises to dangerous levels due to exposure to extreme temperatures, such as high levels of heat or cold. If you think that your dog might have environmental hyperthermia, be sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Can Dogs Get a Fever from Other Diseases?

Yes, dogs can get a fever from other diseases. This is known as secondary fever, and its a first sign of illness in dogs. Secondary fever can be caused by various illnesses, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. If your dog has a fever and you think that it might be related to another disease, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

Can Dogs Get a Fever from Other Animals?

Yes, dogs can get a fever from other animals. This is known as a zoonotic disease, and its a serious condition that can be fatal in some cases. Zoonotic diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites that can be transferred from animals to humans. If your dog has a fever and you think that it might have a zoonotic disease, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away.

Can Dogs Get Sick Just Like People Do?

Yes, dogs can get sick just like people do. Many of the same illnesses that affect people also affect dogs. This includes things like the flu, colds, and even pneumonia. So if youre feeling under the weather, its important to keep your dog away from you too. You dont want them to catch whatever you have!

Can Dogs Get a Fever from an Unknown Origin?

Yes, dogs can get fevers from unknown origins. This is known as idiopathic fever and its a common sign of illness in dogs. Idiopathic fever is a fever that doesnt have an obvious cause. It can be caused by a variety of different illnesses, including infections, compromised immune system, and cancer. If your dog has a low grade fever or a high grade fever, and you cant identify the source, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

Conclusion: Can Dogs Really Get a Fever?

Yes, dogs can get fevers just like people do. A dogs body temperature is very similar to that of a human. However, there are a few important distinctions to make between the two. For example, the average fever for a dog is around 102 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average fever for a person is around 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.